Knights of the Round Table

The Knights of the Round TableKnights of the Round Table - The story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round table are well known. Many knights were featured in the tale although most people remember the main characters - Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad. King Arthur is the figure at the heart of the Arthurian legends but the Knights of the Round Table play an important part in the story. The legend revolves around the Code of Chivalry followed by the Knights of the Round Table - Honour, Honesty, Valour and Loyalty. The Knights of the Round Table were ' Brothers in Arms'. The significance of the Round Table is that no one person, not even the King, should sit at the head of such a table. A round table enforced the concept of equality - completely at odds with the concept of the Feudal System.

Knights of the Round Table

Knights of the Round Table - The Round TableKnights of the Round Table - The Round Table - was first mentioned by the twelfth century Norman poet Wace in his "Roman de Brut".

This poem was based on a translation of the Historia Regum Britanniae (the History of the King's of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth) into French verse. The poem was called Roman de Brut which Wace presented Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife of King Henry II, in 1155. Wace embellished the Arthurian story and invents the legend of the Round Table. Wace is also the first to ascribe the name Excalibur to King Arthur's sword. The excerpt from the poem by Wace which first makes mention of the Round Table is as follows:

The Round Table was not only a physical table, but was also the highest Order of Chivalry at the Court of King Arthur. During the Medieval era society was based on the pyramid-shaped Feudal System. The King and the most powerful Lords were seated at a "high table" on a dais. Wace writes in his Brut that King Arthur ordered the Round Table to be built in order to resolve a conflict among his knights concerning who should have precedence. All seats at the Round Table were favoured places, and all were equal. The Knights of the Round Table were served their food as equals and none of them could boast that he had a seat of higher dignity than that of any of his fellow Knights.

Knights of the Round Table

Knights of the Round Table

Knights of the Round Table - Sir Lancelot

Knights of the Round Table - Sir Galahad

The Round Table at Winchester

Knights of the Round Table Code of Chivalry

Names of all the Knights of the Round Table

The Knights of the Round Table Code of ChivalryThe twelve basic rules of the Knights of the Round Table according to Giovanni Boccaccio in his "De Casibus Virorum Illustrium" were:

To never lay down arms

To seek after wonders

When called upon, to defend the rights of the weak with all one's strength

To injure no one

Not to attack one another

To fight for the safety of one's country

To give one's life for one's country

To seek nothing before honour

Never to break faith for any reason

To practice religion most diligently

To grant hospitality to anyone, each according to his ability

Whether in honour or disgrace, to make a report with the greatest fidelity to truth to those who keep the annals

The Knights of the Round Table at WinchesterSome of the Medieval Legends about the Knights of the Round Table indicate that Camelot was situated in the Historic City of Winchester. Winchester was first identified as the Camelot of legend by Sir Thomas Malory in his "Le Morte D'Arthur" which was first printed by Caxton in 1485. Geoffrey of Monmouth refers to Winchester by is the old Welsh name of Caer-Guinntguic. An ancient Round Table can be found at Winchester which is reputed to be King Arthur's Round Table. 'King Arthur's Round Table' at Winchester does not date from the early 6th century when King Arthur was believed to have lived. Radiocarbon and Tree-ring (dendrochronology) dating methods have revealed that the table was constructed in the 1270s, at the beginning of King Edward I's reign. This date corresponds perfectly with the fact that King Edward I used Arthurian legends and myths when he conquered Wales - see Caernarvon Castle and Welsh Mythology. The large round wooden table in the Great Hall at Winchester, reputed to be King Arthur's Round Table, is made of 121 separate pieces of oak and measures 18 feet across, is nearly 3 inches thick and weighs nearly 1.25 tons. Scientific studies have also revealed that a painting of a King was added to the round table around 1522. The King depicted bears a striking resemblance to the Tudor King Henry VII! The Tudors claimed lineage to King Arthur as justification for their reign and their claims to both the Welsh and English thrones! Knights of the Round Table.

The Names of Knights on the Round Table at WinchesterThe names of the Knights of the Round Table at Winchester are detailed on the following list together with a brief comment about the Knight:

Kyng Arthur ( King Arthur )

Sir Galahallt ( Sir Galahad - the illegitimate son of Sir Lancelot)

Sir Launcelot Deulake ( Sir Lancelot du Lac - was taken in by the mystical Lady of the Lake who raised him - the greatest Knight of the Round Table who fell in love with Queen Guinevere )